“The here and now is much more of a bigger concern than the future, which is human nature,” said Jean Setzfand, senior vice president of programs for AARP. “But the debt burden is nothing to laugh about.”

The report, based on a survey of more than 1,600 working adults ages 40 to 59 with household incomes of $40,000 to $99,999, explores that demographic’s approach to retirement savings. While it shows the majority in that group are saving something for retirement, it also illustrates the competing financial priorities they face.